car rental


Lorraine Farnon


ADAPTED VEHICLE HIRE


Complying with the Disability Discrimination Act


Disability Act obligations A


Lorraine Farnon believes some insurance claims departments have yet to grasp the requirements of the latest discrimination law and its effect on the provision of temporary transport for injured claimants


s well as vehicle supply in difficult conditions, the other test facing insurers in connection with personal injury is compliance with the latest disability law. The big challenge for insurers is being able to take account of a claimant’s condition as it changes over the period of their recovery. For example, in the case of a person who has sustained two broken legs in an accident, they would be discharged from hospital in a wheelchair, possibly


with legs pinned and set forward. So the responsible insurer would initially look to provide a wheelchair accessible vehicle for their ‘carer’ to transport them around.


But then they will move to driving independently, although still with limited movement. An occupational therapist or case manager would organise a driving assessment completed at one of the Forum of Mobility Centres set up around the UK. From this


assessment a recommendation can be made as to the driving controls and adaptations the client feels comfortable and safe to drive with. This then presents the need to find a suitable vehicle.


Injured and disabled


policyholders have exactly the same rights to a replacement vehicle as an able-bodied driver but, to date, there has been limited supply and limited integration of these specialist


vehicles in the mainstream replacement vehicle offering. However, such services are to be found, giving insurers the flexibility to provide the right type of vehicle to a claimant at every stage of their recovery - rather than be locked into one type of vehicle for the entire period of rehabilitation. And that probably means a more cost-effective solution too, without any risk of falling foul of the relevant equality law.


JULY/AUGUST 2011 insurancepeople 15


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